EP2209020B1 - Radio communication device, voice data reproducing method, and program - Google Patents
Radio communication device, voice data reproducing method, and program Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2209020B1 EP2209020B1 EP08849521.3A EP08849521A EP2209020B1 EP 2209020 B1 EP2209020 B1 EP 2209020B1 EP 08849521 A EP08849521 A EP 08849521A EP 2209020 B1 EP2209020 B1 EP 2209020B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- radio communication
- audio data
- communication device
- distance
- unit
- Prior art date
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S11/00—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation
- G01S11/02—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves
- G01S11/06—Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves using intensity measurements
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L1/00—Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received
- H04L1/0001—Systems modifying transmission characteristics according to link quality, e.g. power backoff
- H04L1/0009—Systems modifying transmission characteristics according to link quality, e.g. power backoff by adapting the channel coding
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L1/00—Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received
- H04L1/0001—Systems modifying transmission characteristics according to link quality, e.g. power backoff
- H04L1/0014—Systems modifying transmission characteristics according to link quality, e.g. power backoff by adapting the source coding
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L1/00—Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received
- H04L1/0001—Systems modifying transmission characteristics according to link quality, e.g. power backoff
- H04L1/0015—Systems modifying transmission characteristics according to link quality, e.g. power backoff characterised by the adaptation strategy
- H04L1/0017—Systems modifying transmission characteristics according to link quality, e.g. power backoff characterised by the adaptation strategy where the mode-switching is based on Quality of Service requirement
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L1/00—Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received
- H04L1/20—Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received using signal quality detector
- H04L1/206—Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received using signal quality detector for modulated signals
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
- H04L65/60—Network streaming of media packets
- H04L65/75—Media network packet handling
- H04L65/762—Media network packet handling at the source
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
- H04L65/80—Responding to QoS
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L69/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services independent of the application payload and not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
- H04L69/04—Protocols for data compression, e.g. ROHC
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/02—Services making use of location information
- H04W4/023—Services making use of location information using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
Description
- The present invention relates to a radio communication device, an audio data reproducing method and a program.
- In recent years, a portable radio communication device having an audio data reproducing function and a radio communication function, which includes a mobile phone having a music reproducing function, a music player such as WALK MAN (registered trademark), a portable game machine such as PlayStation Portable (registered trademark) for example, has been widely used. Such a radio communication device can perform radio communication by a communication mode called an infrastructure mode in which radio communication is performed via a wireless LAN access point (wireless Local Area Network access point) or a communication mode called an ad hoc mode in which radio communication devices directly communicate by radio without the wireless LAN access point. Thus, the radio communication device can access to a server on the Internet via the wireless LAN access point and download audio data (music data, for example) stored in the server or can obtain or exchange audio data by directly transmitting/receiving audio data to/from other radio communication device.
- For example,
Patent Literature 1 discloses a mobile device for the reception of digital audio entertainment signals. The mobile device includes an audio signal store for the storage of the digital audio entertainment signals and an audio receiver for the reception of external digital audio entertainment signals from a mobile audio signal transmitter located within a predetermined distance of the audio receiver. The device also includes a receiver control with at least a first state and a second state. An audio signal player plays digital audio entertainment signals from the audio signal store when the receiver control is in the first state, and plays digital audio entertainment signals from the audio receiver when the receiver control is in the second state. - Here, it is known that, in an ideal space, a field intensity of a radio signal transmitted from the radio communication device or the wireless LAN access point varies inversely with the square or the cube of the distance in a vicinity of the radio communication device serving as a signal transmission source and varies inversely with the distance out of the vicinity of the radio communication device. The characteristic of the field intensity of the radio signal is effective with a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard such as IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g.
- In this point of view, a technology for estimating a distance between radio communication devices using the characteristic of a field intensity of a radio signal has been developed. The technology for estimating the distance between radio communication devices using the characteristic of a field intensity of a radio signal is seen in
Patent Literature 2, for example. -
- Patent Literature 1:
US 2007/142944 A1 - Patent Literature 2:
JP 2006-300918 (A - However, a field intensity of a radio signal is actually affected by interference fading, polarization fading, skip fading and the like. In general, the field intensity of the radio signal continuously varies even when the distance from the radio communication device serving as a signal transmission source is constant. Therefore, in a conventional radio communication device, it is thus difficult to estimate a distance between radio communication devices with accuracy.
- Here, according to a conventional radio communication device, when an estimated distance between the radio communication devices is widely different from the actual distance, a case where audio data (music data, for example) stored in a server cannot be downloaded or audio data cannot be obtained or exchanged by directly transmitting/receiving the audio data to/from other radio communication device may happen.
- Further, according to a conventional radio communication device, it is difficult to estimate a distance between radio communication devices with accuracy, so that a reproduction of audio data obtained from other radio communication device in a reproducing manner based on the distance between the radio communication devices cannot be expected.
- The present invention is made in view of the above-mentioned issue, and aims to provide a radio communication device, an audio data reproducing method and a program which are novel and improved, and which are capable of obtaining audio data from other radio communication device according to a distance from the radio communication device and reproducing the obtained audio data in a reproducing manner based on the distance from the radio communication device.
- According to the first aspect of the present invention in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided a radio communication device as defined in appended
claim 1. - With the above configuration, audio data can be obtained from other radio communication device according to the distance between the radio communication devices and the obtained audio data can be reproduced by a reproducing manner based on the distance between the radio communication devices.
- Further embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.
- Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided an audio data reproducing method as defined in appended claim 14.
- With the above method, audio data can be obtained from other radio communication device according to the distance between the radio communication devices and the obtained data can be reproduced by a reproducing manner based on the distance between the radio communication devices.
- Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided a program applicable to a radio communication device as defined in appended claim 15.
- With the above program, audio data can be obtained from other radio communication device according to the distance between the radio communication devices and the obtained data can be reproduced by a reproducing manner based on the distance between the radio communication devices.
- According to the present invention, audio data can be obtained from other radio communication device according to the distance between the radio communication devices and the obtained data can be reproduced by a reproducing manner based on the distance between the radio communication devices.
-
- [
Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of a radio communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration related to a distance estimation in the radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is an explanatory view showing a configuration example of a packet including device information according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is an explanatory view showing an illustrative example of the packet including device information according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is an explanatory view showing an illustrative example of the packet including device information according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is an explanatory view showing a relationship between a distance measurement evaluation value and an estimated distance according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is an explanatory view showing an example in which device information and an evaluation formula are associated with each other and stored in a memory unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is an explanatory view showing an illustrative example of the distance between a plurality of radio communication devices and a field intensity before filtering by a determination unit unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is an explanatory view showing an illustrative example of the distance between a plurality of radio communication devices and the field intensity after filtering by the determination unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is an explanatory view showing an illustrative example of the distance estimation by an estimation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is an explanatory view showing an illustrative example of radio communication controlled by a communication control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation related to the distance estimation in a radio communication device on transmitting side according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation related to the distance estimation in a radio communication device on receiving side according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 15] Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation related to the distance estimation in a radio communication device on receiving side according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a first explanatory view for explaining an outline of an audio data reproducing method in the radio communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is a second explanatory view showing an outline of an audio data reproducing method in the radio communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 18] Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a first reproducing method of audio data in the radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 19] Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of a second reproducing method of audio data in the radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 20] Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of a third reproducing method of audio data in the radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 21] Fig. 21 is a first explanatory view for explaining a reason why the radio communication device performs a determination related to a condition C in the third reproducing method of audio data according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 22] Fig. 22 is a second explanatory view for explaining a reason why the radio communication device performs a determination related to a condition C in the third reproducing method of audio data according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [
Fig. 23] Fig. 23 is a functional block diagram showing the radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention. - [Fig. 24] Fig. 24 is an explanatory view showing an application example of the radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
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- 20, 20', 21A, 21B
- Radio communication device
- 216
- Communication unit
- 220
- Field intensity measurement unit
- 224
- Noise floor measurement unit
- 228
- Memory unit
- 232
- Estimation unit
- 236
- Determination unit
- 244, 252
- Communication control unit
- 250
- Distance estimation unit
- 254
- Reproduction control unit
- Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that, in this specification and the drawings, elements that have substantially the same function and structure are denoted with the same reference signs, and repeated description is omitted.
- Further, "Description of Embodiments" will be described in order of the following items.
- [1] Distance estimation manner in radio communication system according to embodiment of present invention
- [1-A] Outline of distance estimation manner in radio communication system
- [1-B] Radio communication device constituting radio communication system (distance estimation)
- [1-B-1] Hardware configuration of radio communication device
- [1-B-2] Functions related to distance estimation of radio communication device
- [1-B-3] Operation related to distance estimation of radio communication device
- [1-C] Conclusion of distance estimation
- [2] Radio communication system according to embodiment of present invention
- [2-A] Outline of audio data reproducing method in radio communication system
- [2-B] Radio communication device constituting radio communication system
- [2-B-1] Audio data reproducing method
- [2-B-2] Functions of radio communication device
- [2-C] Conclusion
- A manner for estimating a distance between radio communication devices according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described before explaining a method for reproducing audio data in a radio communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
-
Fig. 1 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of theradio communication system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFig. 1 , theradio communication system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality ofradio communication devices 20 and 20'. - The
radio communication devices 20 and 20' are capable of transmitting/receiving radio signals including various data (streaming data, distance measurement packets and the like) to/from each other. The various data include audio data such as music, lectures and radio programs, video data such as movies, TV programs, video programs, photographs, documents, paintings and graphic charts or other any data such as games and software. - Further, in
Fig. 1 , portable game machines are shown as examples of theradio communication devices 20 and 20'; however, theradio communication devices 20 and 20' are not limited to those portable game machines. For example, theradio communication devices 20 and 20' may be information processing devices such as PCs (Personal Computers), household video processors (DVD recorder, videocassette recorder and the like), mobile phones, PHSs (Personal Handyphone Systems), portable music players, portable video processors, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), household game machines and household electric appliances. - Here, the
radio communication devices 20 and 20' may perform radio communication using a frequency bandwidth of 2.4 GHz that is specified in IEEE 802. 11b or may perform radio communication using a frequency bandwidth specified in IEEE 802.11a, g and n. Further, theradio communication devices 20 and 20' may operate using ZigBee that is specified in IEEE 802.15.4. Further,Fig. 1 shows theradio communication system 1 of an ad-hoc mode in which theradio communication devices 20 and 20' directly communicate with each other; however, theradio communication system 1 may be in an infrastructure mode in which theradio communication devices 20 and 20' communicate via a base station. Furthermore, in theradio communication system 1, in addition to point-to-point radio communication but also point-to-multipoint or multipoint-to-multipoint radio communication can be realized. - The field intensity of a radio signal transmitted from the
radio communication device 20 or 20' are affected by interference fading, polarization fading, skip fading or the like. Interference fading is a phenomenon in which radio signals, which are propagated via a plurality of paths and come to a receiving point, interfere with each other at the receiving point. Further, polarization fading is a phenomenon in which a rotation of a plane of polarization occurs during a propagation of radio signals and radio waves having different planes of polarization interfere with each other at a receiving point. Furthermore, skip fading is a phenomenon in which an interference occurs due to an affect of the ionosphere around the earth. - For example, as shown in
Fig. 1 , when the radio communication device 20' transmits a radio signal, theradio communication device 20 receives the radio signal as adirect wave 10A, a reflectedwave 10B (reflected by a subject 11) or a diffractedwave 10C, for example. - Thus, the field intensity of the radio signal received by the
radio communication device 20 from the radio communication device 20' constantly varies. Particularly, since the portable game machines described as examples of theradio communication devices 20 and 20' have a low transmitting power, those portable game machines are easily affected by fading. Thus, a radio communication device cannot estimate an accurate distance from the transmission source device of the radio signal by using the field intensity of all radio signals received in a predetermined period of time. - Thus, the
radio communication device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention estimates the distance from the transmission source device of the radio signal with higher accuracy by estimating the distance based on a predetermined condition related to a field intensity and a noise component of the radio signal received. Theradio communication device 20 will be described in detail with reference toFigs. 2 to 15 . -
Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of theradio communication device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Theradio communication device 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, ahost bus 204, abridge 205, anexternal bus 206, aninterface 207, aninput device 208, anoutput device 210, a storage device (HDD) 211, adrive 212 and acommunication device 215. - The
CPU 201 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls the overall operation of theradio communication device 20 according to various programs. Further, theCPU 201 can be a microprocessor. TheROM 202 stores programs, arithmetic parameters and the like which are used by theCPU 201. TheRAM 203 temporarily stores programs used by theCPU 201 and parameters and the like which varies as appropriate during an implementation of the programs. These are connected to one another by thehost bus 204 composed of a CPU bus and the like. - The
host bus 204 is connected to theexternal bus 206 such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect/Interface) bus via thebridge 205. Note that thehost bus 204,bridge 205 andexternal bus 206 do not have to be separately provided and those functions may be mounted in a single bus. - The
input device 208 is composed of an input means, which is used by a user to input information, such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a button, a microphone, a switch and a lever, and an input control circuit for generating input signals based of user's input and outputting to theCPU 201. By operating theinput device 208, the user of theradio communication device 20 can input various data and instruct processing operation to theradio communication device 20. - The
output device 210 is composed of a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) device and a lamp, and an audio output device such as a speaker and a headphone. Theoutput device 210 outputs a reproduced content, for example. Specifically, the display device displays various information such as reproduced video data and the like in form of texts or images. On the other hand, the audio output device converts reproduced sound data and the like to sound and outputs the sound. - The
storage device 211 is a data storing device composed as an example of a memory unit of theradio communication device 20 according to the present embodiment. Thestorage device 211 may include a memory medium, a recording device for recording data to the memory medium, a readout device for reading data from the memory medium, a deletion device for deleting data recorded in the memory medium, and the like. Thestorage device 211 is composed of a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for example. Thestorage device 211 drives a hard disk and stores programs and various data which are executed by theCPU 201. Further, in thestorage device 211, later described field intensity, noise floor and the like are recorded in association with users. - The
drive 212 is a reader/writer for a memory medium and internally mounted in or externally connected to theradio communication device 20. Thedrive 212 reads information from an attached magnetic disc, optical disc, magnetic-optical disc, or aremovable recording memory 24 such as a semiconductor memory, and outputs to theRAM 203. - The
communication device 215 is a communication interface composed of a communication device for connecting to acommunication network 12, for example. Further, thecommunication device 215 may be a communication device for a wireless LAN, a communication device for a wireless USB, or a wired communication device for a wired communication. Thecommunication device 215 transmits/receives radio signals to/from other radio communication device 20'. - Here, the hardware configuration of the radio communication device 20' can substantially be the same as the hardware configuration of the above described
radio communication device 20, so the detailed description will be omitted. - The hardware configuration of the
radio communication device 20 has been described with reference toFig. 2 . Next, functions relating to the distance estimation ofradio communication device 20 will be described. -
Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration related to the distance estimation in theradio communication device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFig. 3 , theradio communication device 20 includes acommunication unit 216, a fieldintensity measurement unit 220, a noisefloor measurement unit 224, amemory unit 228, anestimation unit 232, adetermination unit 236, adisplay unit 240 and acommunication control unit 244. - The
communication unit 216 is an interface for transmitting/receiving radio signals such as a distance measurement packet or streaming data to/from other radio communication device 20' and has functions as a transmission unit and a reception unit. - The other radio communication device 20' generates a distance measurement packet and periodically transmits to the
radio communication device 20. The distance measurement packet is a packet used by theradio communication device 20 to measure the distance between theradio communication device 20 and the radio communication device 20'. When there are data to be transmitted from the other radio communication device 20' to theradio communication device 20, the data can be included in the distance measurement packet. Further, the distance measurement packet has a data amount equal to or greater than 1 byte. Note that theradio communication device 20 can estimate the distance from the radio communication device 20' based on streaming data without using the distance measurement packet. - Further, the
communication unit 216 receives device information that indicates a transmitting power of the radio communication device 20' before receiving the distance measurement packet. -
Fig. 4 is an explanatory view showing an example of a packet configuration including device information according to the embodiment of the present invention. This packet includes, as shown inFig. 4 , aversion 41 which is 8 bytes in length and is a value of format version of the packet, adata length 42 of the packet and device information 32. -
Figs. 5 and 6 are explanatory views showing illustrative examples of a packet including device information according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown inFig. 5 , theversion 41 is "1," thedata length 42 is "4," and the device information 32 is "10mw." The "10mw" written as the device information 32 is a transmitting power of the radio communication device 20' upon transmitting a radio signal. - Further, in the example shown in
Fig. 6 , theversion 41 is "1," thedata length 42 is "8," and the device information 32 is "Mode1001." The "Mode1001" written as the device information 32 is an antenna type of the radio communication device 20' or radio communication device 20'. Base on the type, a transmitting power of the radio communication device 20' can be specified. - As described above, since the
communication unit 216 receives device information including a transmitting power or a type of the radio communication device 20' in advance, theestimation unit 232 is allowed to estimate the distance from the radio communication device 20' according to the content of the device information. Note that the format of the packet including the device information is not limited to the example shown inFig. 4 and any format such as a serial number of the radio communication device 20' can be used if it can be recognized between applications (programs) of theradio communication device 20 and radio communication device 20'. - The field
intensity measurement unit 220 has a function as a measurement unit for measuring a field intensity (reception intensity) of the distance measurement packet received by thecommunication unit 216. The fieldintensity measurement unit 220 may obtain the field intensity from an API (Application Program Interface), a function, a driver applicable to a wireless hardware, or the like. - The noise
floor measurement unit 224 measures a noise floor indicating a level of noise included in the distance measurement packet received by thecommunication unit 216. In general, differently from an S/N (signal-to-noise) ratio, a greater value of the noise floor indicates a worse radio wave environment (a larger noise component) and a smaller value indicates a better radio wave environment (a smaller noise component). The noisefloor measurement unit 224 may obtain the noise floor from an API (Application Program Interface), a function, a driver applicable to a wireless hardware, or the like. - The
memory unit 228 stores the field intensity of the distance measurement packet that is measured by the fieldintensity measurement unit 220 and the noise floor value of the distance measurement packet that is measured by the noisefloor measurement unit 224. Further, thememory unit 228 stores the device information received by thecommunication unit 216 in advance in association with a later described threshold value N and threshold value F, an evaluation formula or the like. - Here, the
memory unit 228 may be a memory medium of a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a magnetic disc such as a hard disk and a disctype magnetic substance disk, an optical disc such as a CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable), a /RW (ReWritable), a DVD-R (Digital Versatile Disc Recordable) a /RW/+R/+RW/RAM (Ramdam Access Memory) and a BD (Blu-Ray Disc (registered trademark)) -R/BD-RE, or an MO (Magneto Optical) disc. - The
estimation unit 232 estimates a distance from the radio communication device 20' using the field intensity and the noise floor value, which is determined by thedetermination unit 236 to satisfy a predetermined condition, among the field intensities and noise floor values stored inmemory unit 228. Hereinafter, a determination by thedetermination unit 236 will be described after a specific description of the functions of theestimation unit 232. - Firstly, the
estimation unit 232 maintains a pair of a field intensity and a noise floor value which is determined by thedetermination unit 236 to satisfy a predetermined condition as a distance measurement database. Then, when the following condition A is satisfied, a distance measurement evaluation value is calculated. -
- 1.A set period has passed.
- 2. The number of pairs of the field intensity and noise floor value is increased by a fixed number.
- 3. The accumulated number of pairs of the field intensity and noise floor value excesses a predetermined value.
- Note that the distance measurement evaluation value may be an average value of field intensities in the distance measurement database or a latest field intensity. As shown in
Fig. 7 , for example, theestimation unit 232 estimates the distance between theradio communication devices 20 and 20' based on the magnitude of the distance measurement evaluation value. -
Fig. 7 is an explanatory view showing a relationship between distance measurement evaluation values and estimated distances according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFig. 7 , when the distance measurement evaluation value is smaller than the threshold value F, theestimation unit 232 estimates that the distance between theradio communication devices 20 and 20' is a long distance. Further, when the distance measurement evaluation value is greater than the threshold value N, theestimation unit 232 estimates that the distance between theradio communication devices 20 and 20' is a short distance. Further, when the distance measurement evaluation value is equal to or greater than the threshold value F or equal to or smaller than the threshold value N, theestimation unit 232 estimates that the distance between theradio communication devices 20 and 20' is a medium distance. - Note that the threshold value N and threshold value F may be stored in association with device information in the
memory unit 228. In this case, theestimation unit 232 may extract the threshold value N and threshold value F from thememory unit 228, which correspond to the device information received from the radio communication device 20' in advance. It is assumed that the threshold value N and threshold value F associated with device information that indicates a relatively high transmitting power tend to be relatively great values. - Further, as a substitute for the threshold value N and threshold value F, a evaluation formula for calculating a distance measurement evaluation value may be associated with the device information and stored in the
memory unit 228 as shown inFig. 8 . -
Fig. 8 is an explanatory view showing an example in which device information and evaluation formulas are associated and stored in thememory unit 228 according to the embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, device information "Mode1001" is associated with anevaluation formula 1 and device information "Mode1002" is associated with anevaluation formula 2. Device information "Mode1003" and device information "Mode1004" are also associated with evaluation formulas. - For example, the
evaluation formula 1 may be (added value of latest three field intensities) / 3, and theevaluation formula 2 may be (added value of latest three field intensities) / 4. - Since each radio communication device 20' has different antenna shape, product shape, transmitting power or the like, in the
radio communication device 20, it has been difficult to accurately estimate the distance between theradio communication devices 20 and 20' based on only the field intensity. Thus, when the device information is associated with a threshold value N, a threshold value F, and an evaluation formula and stored in thememory unit 228, theestimation unit 232 can perform a distance estimation for the radio communication device 20'. - The
determination unit 236 determines whether the pair of the field intensity and noise floor value stored in thememory unit 228 satisfy a predetermined condition. Here, when the noise floor value is greater than an upper limit set value, it is assumed that the reception environment for receiving the distance measurement packet by thecommunication unit 216 is remarkably deteriorated. Further, when the noise floor value is lower than a lower limit set value, it is assumed that the reception environment for receiving the distance measurement packet by thecommunication unit 216 is excessively good. Thus, when the noise floor value is greater than the lower limit set value and lower than the upper limit set value, it is assumed that the reception environment for receiving the distance measurement packet by thecommunication unit 216 is almost in a steady state. - Thus, among the pairs of the field intensity and noise floor value, the
determination unit 236 determines that a pair having a noise floor value that is equal to or greater than the lower limit set value and equal to or lower than the upper limit set value satisfies the predetermined condition and adds the pair to the distance measurement database maintained by theestimation unit 232. In other words, thedetermination unit 236 filters a pair of the field intensity and noise floor value that is to be used by theestimation unit 232 among the pairs of the field intensity and noise floor value stored in thememory unit 228. Note that thedetermination unit 236 may perform filtering when a pair of the field intensity and noise floor is recorded in thememory unit 228. A manner of filtering by thedetermination unit 236 will be described with reference toFigs. 9 and 10 . -
Fig. 9 is an explanatory view showing an illustrative example of distances between theradio communication devices 20 and 20' and the field intensities before filtering by thedetermination unit 236 according to the embodiment of the present invention. More specifically,Fig. 9 shows field intensities obtained in respective distances as changing the distance between theradio communication devices 20 and 20' to a plurality of distances. As shown inFig. 9 , before filtering by thedetermination unit 236, the obtained field intensity varies in a range even when the distance of theradio communication devices 20 and 20' is the same. -
Fig. 10 is an explanatory view showing an illustrative example of distances between theradio communication devices 20 and 20' and the field intensities after filtering by thedetermination unit 236 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFig. 10 , after the filtering by thedetermination unit 236, the range in which the field intensity varies is smaller while the distance between theradio communication devices 20 and 20' is the same compared to the case before the filtering by thedetermination unit 236. - As described above, when the field intensity used by the
estimation unit 232 is filtered by thedetermination unit 236 based on the noise floor value, theestimation unit 232 can estimate distance between theradio communication devices 20 and 20' based on reliable field intensities. As a result, the accuracy of distance estimation by theestimation unit 232 will be improved. Hereinafter, an illustrative example of the distance estimation by theestimation unit 232 will be described with reference toFig. 11 . -
Fig. 11 is an explanatory view showing an illustrative example of a distance estimation by theestimation unit 232 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that, in the condition A, three or more pairs of the field intensity and noise floor value are stored as the distance measurement database, and the lower limit set value is 50 and the upper limit set value is 70, which are used for filtering by thedetermination unit 236. Theestimation unit 232 calculates a distance measurement evaluation value by averaging the last three field intensities and sets as threshold value F = 10 and threshold value N = 30. - As described in
Fig. 11 , firstly, theradio communication device 20 receives thedistance measurement packet 51. Then, theradio communication device 20 measures a field intensity of thedistance measurement packet 51 as 10 db/m and a noise floor as 70. Since the noise floor of thedistance measurement packet 51 satisfies the predetermined condition of thedetermination unit 236, the pair of the field intensity and noise floor of thedistance measurement packet 51 is maintained as a distance measurement database in theestimation unit 232. However, the number of the pairs of the field intensity and noise floor maintained as the distance measurement database in theestimation unit 232 has not reached three, so theestimation unit 232 concludes that the condition A is not satisfied and the distance from the radio communication device 20' is unknown. - Next, the
radio communication device 20 receives adistance measurement packet 52. Then, theradio communication device 20 measures the field intensity of thedistance measurement packet 52 as 10 db/m and the noise floor as 70. Since the noise floor of thedistance measurement packet 52 satisfies the predetermined condition of thedetermination unit 236, the pair of the field intensity and noise floor of thedistance measurement packet 52 is stored as the distance measurement database in theestimation unit 232. However, the number of the pairs of the field intensity and noise floor maintained as the distance measurement database of theestimation unit 232 has not reached three, so theestimation unit 232 concludes that the condition A is not satisfied and the distance from the radio communication device 20' is unknown. - After that, the
radio communication device 20 receives adistance measurement packet 53. Then, theradio communication device 20 measures the field intensity of thedistance measurement packet 53 as 9 db/m and the noise floor as 70. Since the noise floor of thedistance measurement packet 53 satisfies the predetermined condition of thedetermination unit 236, the pair of the field intensity and noise floor of thedistance measurement packet 53 is maintained as the distance measurement database in theestimation unit 232. Further, the number of pairs of the field intensity and noise floor maintained as the distance measurement database of theestimation unit 232 has reached three, so theestimation unit 232 calculates the distance measurement evaluation value as (10 + 10 + 9) / 3 = 9.666.... Since this distance measurement evaluation value is smaller than the threshold value F, theestimation unit 232 estimates that the distance from the radio communication device 20' is a long distance. - Further, the
radio communication device 20 receives adistance measurement packet 54. Then, theradio communication device 20 measures the field intensity of thedistance measurement packet 54 as 11 db/m and the noise floor as 90. The noise floor of thedistance measurement packet 54 does not satisfy the predetermined condition (the upper limit set value is greater than 70) of thedetermination unit 236, the pair of the field intensity and noise floor of thedistance measurement packet 54 is not used by theestimation unit 232. However, the number of pairs of the field intensity and noise floor maintained as the distance measurement database in theestimation unit 232 has reached three, so theestimation unit 232 calculates the distance measurement evaluation value as (10 + 10 + 9) / 3 = 9.666.... Since this distance measurement evaluation value is smaller than the threshold value F, theestimation unit 232 estimates the distance from the radio communication device 20' is a long distance. - Next, the
radio communication device 20 receives adistance measurement packet 55. Then, theradio communication device 20 measures the field intensity of thedistance measurement packet 55 as 17 db/m and the noise floor as 65. Since the noise floor of thedistance measurement packet 55 satisfies the predetermined condition of thedetermination unit 236, the pair of the field intensity and noise floor of thedistance measurement packet 55 is maintained as the distance measurement database in theestimation unit 232. Further, the number of pairs of the field intensity and noise floor maintained as the distance measurement database of theestimation unit 232 has reached three, so theestimation unit 232 calculates the distance measurement evaluation value as (10 + 9 + 17) / 3 = 12. Since this distance measurement evaluation value is greater than the threshold value F and smaller than the threshold value N, theestimation unit 232 estimates that the distance from the radio communication device 20' is a medium distance. - When
distance measurement packets 56 to 58 are received, theestimation unit 232 operates in the same manner and estimates that the distance from the radio communication device 20' approaches to a short distance, as described below in detail. The distance from the radio communication device 20' estimated by theestimation unit 232 may be displayed on thedisplay unit 240. Further, the distance from the radio communication device 20' estimated by theestimation unit 232 may be used in a selected application. - Here, back to the explanation of the configuration related to the distance estimation in the
radio communication device 20 with reference toFig. 3 , thecommunication control unit 244 has a function as a control unit for controlling a distance measurement packet transmission by thecommunication unit 216. Hereinafter, the purpose of the provision of thecommunication control unit 244 and detail functions thereof will be described. - As described with reference to
Fig. 11 , theradio communication device 20 can estimate the distance from the radio communication device 20' by receiving a distance measurement packet from the radio communication device 20'. Further, as a manner that the radio communication device 20' estimates the distance from theradio communication device 20, a manner that a distance measurement packet is sent from theradio communication device 20 can be considered. - However, if the
radio communication device 20 simply transmits a distance measurement packet every predetermined period even when the radio communication device 20' has not been in a radio wave coverage, the communication resource is used unnecessarily. - Here, when the
radio communication device 20 has received a distance measurement packet from the radio communication device 20', it is likely that the radio communication device 20' is in the radio wave coverage of theradio communication device 20. On the other hand, when theradio communication device 20 cannot receive a distance measurement packet from the radio communication device 20', it is likely that the radio communication device 20' is out of the radio wave coverage of theradio communication device 20 or the packet may be lost due to a deteriorated radio wave condition. - Then, for example, the radio communication device 20' is considered as a client, the
radio communication device 20 is considered as a server, and thecommunication control unit 244 is assumed to control to transmit a distance measurement packet to thecommunication unit 216 when a distance measurement packet from the radio communication device 20' is received. Here, it is assumed that the radio communication device 20' transmits a distance measurement packet every predetermined period (a period of 100 ms, for example). - With the above described configuration, since the
communication control unit 244 controls thecommunication unit 216 to transmit a radio signal in response to a reception of a distance measurement packet, transmission of distance measurement packets which will not reach the radio communication device 20' can be prevented so that the usage of the communication resource amount can be reduced. An illustrative example of radio communication controlled by suchcommunication control unit 244 is shown inFig. 12 . -
Fig. 12 is an explanatory view showing the illustrative example of the radio communication controlled by thecommunication control unit 244 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFig. 12 , the radio communication device 20' periodically transmitsdistance measurement packets radio communication device 20 transmits adistance measurement packet 61b in response to a reception of thedistance measurement packet 61 a. Further, theradio communication device 20 transmits adistance measurement packet 62b in response to a reception of thedistance measurement packet 62a. - On the other hand, since the
distance measurement packet 63a transmitted from the radio communication device 20' does not reach theradio communication device 20, theradio communication device 20 does not transmit a distance measurement packet to respond thedistance measurement packet 63a. After that, theradio communication device 20 transmits adistance measurement packet 64b in response to a reception of thedistance measurement packet 64a. Here, theradio communication device 20 may perform transmitting the distance measurement packet and recoding the field intensity and noise floor of the received distance measurement packet to thememory unit 228, in advance or in parallel. Further, thecommunication control unit 244 may have a function for generating a distance measurement packet. - Here, since the radio communication device 20' can have substantially the same function as that of the
radio communication device 20, explanation of detail functions of the radio communication device 20' is omitted. - Functions related to the distance estimation in the
radio communication device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention have been described with reference toFigs. 2 to 12 . Next, a radio communication mode related to the distance estimation, which is executed between theradio communication device 20 and the radio communication device 20', will be described with reference toFigs. 13 to 15 . -
Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the radio communication device 20' on the transmitting side according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFig. 13 , firstly, the radio communication device 20' obtains device information thereof (S304) and transmits the device information to theradio communication device 20 on the receiving side (S308). - After that, the radio communication device 20' generates a distance measurement packet (S312) and transmits the distance measurement packet to the
radio communication device 20 on the receiving side (S316). Then, when the radio communication device 20' receives a distance measurement packet from theradio communication device 20 as a response to the transmitted distance measurement packet (S320), the radio communication device 20' measures a field intensity of the received distance measurement packet (S324). Further, the radio communication device 20' obtains a noise floor of the received distance measurement packet (S328). Then, the radio communication device 20' records the field intensity and noise floor to a memory unit (corresponding to thememory unit 228 inFig. 3 ) (S332). - Further, when the distance measurement packet is transmitted to the
radio communication device 20 on the receiving side (S316) but a distance measurement packet is not received as a response from the radio communication device 20 (S320), the radio communication device 20' determines whether a timer has ended (S336). When the time has ended, the radio communication device 20' repeats the process from S312 and, when the time has not ended, the radio communication device 20' repeats the process from S320. -
Figs. 14 and15 are flowcharts showing operation flows of theradio communication device 20 on the receiving side according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFig. 14 , firstly, theradio communication device 20 receives device information of the radio communication device 20' from the radio communication device 20' (S404). Then, theestimation unit 232 sets threshold values N and F or an evaluation formula to threshold values N and F or an evaluation formula associated with the received device information and stored in the memory unit 228 (S408). - Then, when a distance measurement packet is received from the radio communication device 20' (S412), in the
radio communication device 20, thecommunication control unit 244 controls thecommunication unit 216 to transmit a distance measurement packet as a response packet (S416). Further, the fieldintensity measurement unit 220 measures a field intensity of the received distance measurement packet (S420) and the noisefloor measurement unit 224 obtains a noise floor of the received distance measurement packet (S424). Then, the field intensity and noise floor are recorded in the memory unit 228 (S428). - After that, as shown in
Fig. 15 , theestimation unit 232 obtains the pairs of the field intensity and noise floor stored in the memory unit 228 (S450). Next, thedetermination unit 236 determines whether the noise floor value included in the respective pairs of the field intensity and noise floor is greater than the lower limit set value and smaller than the upper limit set value (S454). Then, thedetermination unit 236 extracts a field intensity of the pair of the noise floor, which is determines to be smaller than the upper limit set value, as data to be used by theestimation unit 232, and controls theestimation unit 232 to maintain the data as distance measurement database (S458). - Further, the
estimation unit 232 determines whether the above condition A is satisfied and, when the condition A is satisfied, calculates a distance measurement evaluation value according to the distance measurement database and a previously set evaluation formula (S466). Then, when the distance measurement evaluation value is smaller than the threshold value F (S470), theestimation unit 232 estimates that the distance relation with the radio communication device 20' is a long distance (S486). - On the other hand, when the distance measurement evaluation value is greater than the threshold value F (S470) and smaller than the threshold value N (S474), the
estimation unit 232 estimates that the distance relationship with the radio communication device 20' is a medium distance (S482). Further, when the distance measurement evaluation value is greater than the threshold value F (S470) and greater than threshold value N (S474), theestimation unit 232 estimates that the distance relationship with the radio communication device 20' is a short distance (S478). - As described above, in the present embodiment, the
determination unit 236 determines whether the set of the field intensity and noise floor value stored in thememory unit 228 satisfies the predetermined condition. Here, when the noise floor value is greater than an upper limit set value, it is assumed that the reception environment for receiving a distance measurement packet by thecommunication unit 216 is remarkably deteriorated. Further, when the noise floor value is lower than a lower limit set value, it is assumed that the reception environment for receiving the distance measurement packet by thecommunication unit 216 is excessively good. Thus, when the noise floor value is greater than the lower limit set value and lower than the upper limit set value, it is assumed that the reception environment for receiving the distance measurement packet by thecommunication unit 216 is almost in a steady state. - Then, as described above, when the noise floor value is greater than the lower limit set value and lower than the upper limit set value and the
determination unit 236 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, theestimation unit 232 can estimate the distance from the radio communication device 20' based on the field intensity that is likely to be in a steady state. As a result, theradio communication device 20 can estimate the distance from the radio communication device 20' in real time with higher accuracy. - Further, since the
communication control unit 244 transmits the radio signal to thecommunication unit 216 in response to the reception of the distance measurement packet, it is possible to prevent a transmission of a distance measurement packet which will not reach the radio communication device 20' and suppress the usage of the communication resource amount. - The distance estimation manner in the radio communication system and the functions related to the distance estimation of the
radio communication device 20 have been described with reference toFigs. 2 to 15 . The radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention can estimate the distance between the radio communication devices in real time with higher accuracy by the above-described distance estimation manner. Next, the radio communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention capable of obtaining audio data from other radio communication device according to the distance between the radio communication devices and reproducing the obtained audio data by a reproducing manner based on the distance between the radio communication devices will be described. - Further, in the following description, audio data represents data recorded in an audio format such as MP3 (Moving Picture experts group phase-1 audio layer-3) or ATRAC (Adaptive TRansform Acoustic Coding), for example. Note that it is obvious that the audio data according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above data.
-
Fig. 16 is a first explanatory view for explaining the outline of the audio data reproducing method in the radio communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention.Fig. 16 shows a condition where a user A having aradio communication device 21A moves from position P1 to position P4 while reproducing audio data X (first audio data) stored in the radio communication device 21 A. Further,Fig. 16 shows an example in which the user A moves from position P2 to position P3 within a distance M from aradio communication device 2 1 B that stores audio data Y (second audio data). Note that, inFig. 16 , for the sake of simplification of description, positions are shown on one axis in a horizontal direction. - Here, an example of the audio data reproducing method in the condition shown in
Fig. 16 will be described using an example of an audio data reproduction in the radio communication device 21 A.Fig. 17 is a second explanatory view for explaining an outline of the audio data reproducing method in the radio communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here,Fig. 17 shows a relationship between the positions of theradio communication device 21A and reproducing volumes of audio data reproduced in theradio communication device 21 A. - The
radio communication device 21A estimates the distance from the radio communication device 21 (hereinafter, the distance estimated by theradio communication device 21A is referred to as an "estimated distance"). When the estimated distance between theradio communication device 21 A and theradio communication device 21B is greater than the distance M, theradio communication device 21 A reproduces the audio data X (first audio data) stored in the own device at a reproducing volume V. - When the estimated distance between the
radio communication device 21 A and theradio communication device 21 B becomes shorter than the distance M, theradio communication device 21 A obtains the audio data Y (second audio data) from theradio communication device 21 B and starts to reproduce the obtained audio data Y (second audio data). In this case, theradio communication device 21A adjusts the reproducing volume of the audio data Y (second audio data) to gradually turn up in a predetermined period of time. Hereinafter, to adjust a reproducing volume of audio data to gradually turn up in a predetermined period of time is referred to as "fade in." - Note that the
radio communication device 21 A can perform a stream reproduction of the audio data Y (second audio data) obtained from theradio communication device 21 B or can reproduce the data after downloading. - Further, when the estimated distance becomes shorter than the distance M, the
radio communication device 21A adjusts the reproducing volume of the audio data X (first audio data), which is being reproduced, to gradually turn down in a predetermined period in synchronization with the fade-in of the audio data Y (second audio data), for example. Hereinafter, to adjust a reproducing volume of audio data to gradually turn down in a predetermined period of time is referred to as "fade out." - Thus, when the
radio communication device 21A adjusts the fade-out of the audio data X (first audio data) in synchronization with the fade-in of the audio data Y (second audio data), theradio communication device 21 A can make the user A feel that the reproduction of the audio data X (first audio data) and reproduction of the audio data Y (second audio data) are gradually switched. - When the estimated distance between the
radio communication device 21 A and theradio communication device 21B becomes greater than the distance M again, theradio communication device 21A fades out the audio data Y (second audio data), which is being reproduced. Then, theradio communication device 21 A fades in the audio data X (first audio data) in synchronization with the fade-out of the audio data Y (second audio data), for example. - Thus, when the
radio communication device 21 A performs the fade-out of the audio data Y (second audio data) and the fade-in of the audio data X (first audio data) in synchronization, theradio communication device 21 A can make the user A feel that the reproduction of the audio data X (first audio data) and the reproduction of the audio data Y (second audio data) are gradually switched. - As shown in
Fig. 17 , theradio communication device 21A obtains the audio data Y (second audio data) from theradio communication device 21B according to the estimated distance from the radio communication device 21 B. Then, theradio communication device 21A adjusts the reproducing volume of the audio data X (first audio data) stored in the own device and the reproducing volume of the audio data Y (second audio data) obtained from theradio communication device 21B based on the estimated distance from theradio communication device 21B. Here, theradio communication device 21 A can estimate the distance between the radio communication devices in real time with higher accuracy by the above-described distance estimation manner. Thus, theradio communication device 21 A can reduce the possibility that the audio data cannot be obtained from theradio communication device 21B, compared with a conventional radio communication device. Further, theradio communication device 21A can reproduce the audio data by the reproducing manner appropriate to the actual distance between the radio communication devices. - Note that the audio data reproducing method according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the example shown in
Fig. 17 . For example, theradio communication device 21 A can temporarily stop the reproduction of the faded out audio data X (first audio data) in zone b shown inFig. 17 and restart the reproduction of the audio data X (first audio data) when the estimated distance from theradio communication device 21B becomes greater than the distance M. Further, in zone b shown inFig. 17 , theradio communication device 21A may reproduce the audio data Y (second audio data) at a reproducing volume V without fading in, for example. Further, in zone b shown inFig. 17 , theradio communication device 21 A may fade in the audio data Y (second audio data) while reproducing the audio data X (first audio data) at the reproducing volume V. - Next, the audio data reproducing method in the radio communication device constituting the radio communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention and functions of the radio communication device will be described. Hereinafter, the
radio communication device 21 A shown inFig. 16 will be described as an example. Here, the radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention including theradio communication device 21 B or the like shown inFig. 16 can have the same configuration as that of theradio communication device 21A, so those descriptions will be omitted. -
Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a first reproducing method of audio data in theradio communication device 21A according to the embodiment of the present invention. - The
radio communication device 21A determines whether the audio data stored in the own device (hereinafter, referred to as "first audio data") is being reproduced (S500). Theradio communication device 21A can perform the process in step S500 based on an operation condition of an application for reproducing audio data, for example; however it is not limited to the above. - When it is not determined that the first audio data is being reproduced in step S500, the
radio communication device 21A does not proceed the process until it is determined that the first audio data is being reproduced. Here, it is obvious that theradio communication device 21A may perform the process in step S502 and the following processes regardless of the determination result in step S500. - When it is determined that the first audio data is being reproduced in step S500, the
radio communication device 21 A estimates the distance from other device (S502). Here, theradio communication device 21A estimates the distance between radio communication devices in real time by the distance estimation manner described in the above item [1]. Further, theradio communication device 21 A can estimate distances from the plurality of radio communication devices, respectively. - When the distance is estimated in step S502, the
radio communication device 21 A determines whether the estimated distance satisfies a predetermined condition (S504). In step S504 shown inFig. 18 , it is assumed that the predetermined condition is "a case where the estimated distance is shorter than the predetermined distance M." Note that the predetermined distance M may be previously set in theradio communication device 21A for example; however, it is not limited to the above. For example, as shown inFig. 16 , the predetermined distance M is set in theradio communication device 21B (other device), and theradio communication device 21A can obtain the information of predetermined distance M from theradio communication device 21B. - Here, when the
radio communication device 21 A derives estimated distances from a plurality of radio communication devices respectively, theradio communication device 21A can perform determination for the respective estimated distances in step S504. - When it is determined that the estimated distance satisfies the predetermined condition in step S504, the
radio communication device 21 A transmits a request for audio data of other device according to the derived estimated distance (S506). Here, theradio communication device 21A can perform the process in step S506 by transmitting an "audio data transmission request" to other device to instruct to transmit audio data to the device from which the request is received, for example. - Here, when there are a plurality of other devices having the estimated distances that satisfy the predetermined condition in step S504, the
radio communication device 21 A can selectively transmit a request for audio data to one of other devices. Here, theradio communication device 21 A can selectively transmit a request for audio data to other device which has the shortest estimated distance, other device that is firstly determined to satisfy the predetermined condition, or other device which is selected by the user A of theradio communication device 21 A, for example; however, it is not limited to the above. - Further, although it is not shown in
Fig. 18 , when it is determined that the estimated distance satisfies the predetermined condition in step S504 and the audio data (second audio data) transmitted from other device is already being reproduced, theradio communication device 21A can repeat the processes from step S502 without performing the processes in steps S506 to S512. - The
radio communication device 21A receives audio data (hereinafter, the audio data obtained from other device is referred to as "second audio data") from other device in response to the request in step S506 (S508), and fades in and reproduces the received audio data (S510). - Further, the
radio communication device 21A fades out the first audio data in synchronization with the fade-in of the second audio data in step S510 (S512). Then, theradio communication device 21 A repeats the processes from step S502. - By the processes in steps S510 and S512, the reproduction shown in zone b of
Fig. 17 is realized in theradio communication device 21A. Note thatFig. 18 shows an example in which the process in step S512 is performed in synchronization after the process in step S510; however, it is not limited to the above. Since theradio communication device 21A can perform the process in step S510 and the process in step S512 in synchronization, theradio communication device 21A can perform the process in step S510 in synchronization after the process in step S512. Note that it is obvious that the radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention can perform the process in step S510 and the process in step S512 independently. - When it is not determined that the estimated distance satisfies the predetermined condition in step S504, the
radio communication device 21A determines whether the second audio data is being reproduced (S514). When it is not determined that the second audio data is being reproduced in step S514, theradio communication device 21 A repeats the processes from step S500. - Further, when it is determined that the second audio data is being reproduced in step S514, the
radio communication device 21A fades out the second audio data (S516). - Further, the
radio communication device 21A fades in the first audio data in synchronization with the fade-out of the second audio data in step S516 (S518). Then, theradio communication device 21A repeats the processes from step S500. - By the processes in steps S516 and S518, the reproduction as shown in zone c of
Fig. 17 is realized in theradio communication device 21A. Note that it is obvious that the radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention can perform the process in step S516 and the process in step S518 independently. - The
radio communication device 21A can realize the reproduction of audio data as shown inFig. 17 by the first reproducing method shown inFig. 18 . - An example of the reproducing method according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to
Fig. 18 ; however, the reproducing method according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the method shown inFig. 18 . Next, a second reproducing method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the second reproducing method of the audio data in the radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention. - Similarly to step S500 in
Fig. 18 , theradio communication device 21 A determines whether the first audio data is being reproduced (S600). Here, when it is not determined that the first audio data is being reproduced in step S600, theradio communication device 21A does not proceed the process until it is determined that the first audio data is being reproduced. - When it is determined that the first audio data is being reproduced in step S600, the
radio communication device 21A estimates a distance from ther device, similarly to step S502 inFig. 18 (S602). - Then, the
radio communication device 21A determines whether other device satisfies a condition B (S604). Here, the condition B is a condition to selectively obtain audio data from other device to reproduce. The condition B may be a condition for selecting the second audio data or a condition for selecting other device for example; however it is not limited to the above. Here, the condition for selecting the second audio data is a condition to limit the second audio data to be obtained from other device. As the condition for selecting the second audio data, for example, there is meta-information such as genres and artist names; however, it is not limited to the above. Further, the condition for selecting other device is a condition to limit other device to obtain the second audio data. As the condition for selecting other device, there is device identification information such as MAC address (Media Access Control address) that allows to identify the respective other devices, for example; however, it is not limited to the above. - Further, the
radio communication device 21A transmits, to other device, a request to obtain information for determining the condition B (determination condition information) such as a condition for selecting second audio data or a condition for select other device for example and obtains determination condition information from other device. By obtaining the determination condition information from other device as described above, theradio communication device 21 A can perform the process in step S604 based on the determination condition information. - Note that the manner for obtaining the determination condition information in the radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above. For example, each radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention may transmit, as a distance measurement packet, meta-information such as a genre or a name of artist of the first audio data stored in the own device or device identification information such as MAC address of the own device. With this configuration, each radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention can recognize information of stored audio data or information such as a MAC address among the radio communication devices by transmitting/receiving the distance measurement packet.
- When it is not determined that other device satisfies the condition B in step S604, the
radio communication device 21A repeats the processes from step S600. Here, in a case where there are a plurality of estimated distances which are derived in step S602, when other devices according to the respective estimated distances do not satisfy the condition B, the processes from step S600 are repeated, for example. - Further, similarly to step S504 in
Fig. 18 , when it is determined that other device satisfies the condition B in step S604, theradio communication device 21A determines whether the estimated distance satisfies a predetermined condition (S606). - Similarly to step S506 in
Fig. 18 , when it is determined that the estimated distance satisfies the predetermined condition in step S606, theradio communication device 21 A transmits a request for audio data to other device according to the estimated distance that is derived (S608). Then, similarly to step S510 inFig. 18 , theradio communication device 21A receives the second audio data transmitted from other device in response to the request in step S608 (S610), and fades in and reproduces the received audio data (S612). - Further, similarly to step S512 in
Fig. 18 , theradio communication device 21 A fades out the first audio data in synchronization with the fade-in of the second audio data in step S612 (S614). Then, theradio communication device 21 A repeats the processes from step S602. - By the processes in step S612 and step S614, in the
radio communication device 21A, the reproduction as shown in zone b ofFig. 17 is realized. - Here, although it is not shown in
Fig. 19 , when it is determined that the estimated distance satisfies the predetermined condition in step S606 and the second audio data is already being reproduced, theradio communication device 21A does not perform the processes from steps S608 to S614 and can repeat the processes from step S602. - When it is not determined that the estimated distance satisfies the predetermined condition in step S606, the
radio communication device 21 A determines whether the second audio data is being reproduced (S616). When it is not determined that the second audio data is being reproduced in step S616, theradio communication device 21 A repeats the processes from step S600. - Further, when it is determined that the second audio data is being reproduced in step S616, the
radio communication device 21A fades out the second audio data (S618). Similarly to step S518 inFig. 18 , theradio communication device 21 A fades in the first audio data (S620) in synchronized with the fade-out of the second audio data in step S618. Then, theradio communication device 21A repeats the processes from step S600. - By the processes in steps S618 and S620, in the
radio communication device 21A, the reproduction as shown in zone c ofFig. 17 is realized. - The
radio communication device 21A can realize the audio data reproduction as shown inFig. 17 by the second reproducing method shown inFig. 19 . - Next, a third reproducing method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the third reproducing method of audio data in a radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention. - Similarly to step S500 of
Fig. 18 , theradio communication device 21A determines whether the first audio data is being reproduced (S700). Here, when it is not determined that the first audio data is being reproduced in step S700, theradio communication device 21A does not proceed the process until it is determined that the first audio data is being reproduced. - When it is determined that the first audio data is being reproduced in step S700, the
radio communication device 21 A estimates the distance from other device (S702), similarly to step S502 inFig. 18 . Then, similarly to step S604 inFig. 19 , theradio communication device 21A determines whether other device satisfies the condition B (S704). When it is not determined that other device satisfies the condition B in step S704, theradio communication device 21 A repeats the processes from step S700. - Further, when it is determined that other device satisfies the condition B in step S704, the
radio communication device 21 A determines whether the estimated distance satisfies the predetermined condition (S706), similarly to step S504 inFig. 18 . - When it is determined that the estimated distance satisfies the predetermined condition in step S706, the
radio communication device 21A counts the first time period (S708). Note that the first time period is a period of time that indicates a condition in which the estimated distance satisfies the predetermined condition, that is, a condition in which the estimated distance is shorter than the predetermined distance M (smaller than a predetermined threshold value). The reason why the first time period is counted in the third reproducing method will be described later. - When counting of the first time period starts in step S708, the
radio communication device 21A transmits a request for audio data to other device according to the estimated distance that is derived (S710), similarly to step S506 inFig. 18 . Then, theradio communication device 21A receives the second audio data transmitted from other device in response to the request in step S710 (S712), and fades in and reproduces the received audio data, similarly to step S510 inFig. 18 (S714). - Further, similarly to step S512 in
Fig. 18 , theradio communication device 21A fades out the first audio data (S716) in synchronization with the fade-in of the second audio data in step S714. Then, theradio communication device 21A repeats the processes from step S702. - By the processes in steps S714 and S716, in the
radio communication device 21A, the reproduction as shown in zone b ofFig. 17 is realized. - Although it is not shown in
Fig. 20 , when it is determined that the estimated distance satisfies the predetermined condition in step S706 and the second audio data is already being reproduced, theradio communication device 21A can repeat the processes from step S702 without performing the processes in steps S708 to S716. - When it is not determined that the estimated distance satisfies the predetermined condition in step S706, the
radio communication device 21A determines whether the second audio data is being reproduced (S718). When it is not determined that the second audio data is being reproduced in step S718, theradio communication device 21 A initializes the count value of the first time period that is counted in step S708 (S730) and repeats the processes from step S700. - Further, when it is determined that the second audio data is being reproduced in step S718, the
radio communication device 21A determines whether a condition C is satisfied (S720). Here, the condition C is a condition to determine a completion of fade-in or fade-out of audio data in the radio communication device 21 A. Hereinafter, the reason why the condition C is used for the determination in the third reproducing method will be described. -
Fig. 21 is a first explanatory view for explaining a reason why theradio communication device 21A makes a determination regarding the condition C in the third reproducing method of the audio data according to the embodiment of the present invention audio data. Here,Fig. 21 shows a fade-out of audio data in theradio communication device 21A with a reproducing volume axis and a time axis. - Referring to
Fig. 21 , theradio communication device 21A takes a predetermined time period t1 to fade out the audio data (hereinafter, the time period taken for the fade-out is referred to as a "second time period"). Here, the distance between theradio communication device 21A and other device is not always constant but theradio communication device 21A can estimate the distance at real time. In other words, when the fade-out of the first audio data is performed in step S716, theradio communication device 21A may determine that the estimated distance becomes out of the predetermined condition before the second time period t1 ends. - In this case, in the
radio communication device 21 A which is used for the above-described first reproducing method and second reproducing method, the first audio data, which is being fade out, is to be fade in during the fade-out. When the first audio data is reproduced as described above, it is difficult to deny the possibility that the user A of theradio communication device 21 A feels uncomfortable. - Thus, in the third reproducing method, by using the first time period and second time period t1 which are started to be counted in step S708, "first time period > second time period t1" may be one condition of the condition C, for example. Since the one condition of the condition C is set as "first time period > second time period t1," the
radio communication device 21A determines the completion of the fade-out of the first audio data in step S716 and can prevent flutter in changes of the reproducing volume of the first audio data. - Further,
Fig. 22 is a second explanatory view for explaining the reason why theradio communication device 21A determines regarding the condition C in the third reproducing method of the audio data according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here,Fig. 22 shows the fade-in of the audio data in theradio communication device 21 A with a reproducing volume axis and a time axis. - Referring to
Fig. 22 , it can be seen that theradio communication device 21 A takes a predetermined time period t2 to fade in audio data (hereinafter, the time period taken to fade in the audio data is referred to as a "third time period"). As described above, the distance between theradio communication device 21A and other device is not always constant. Thus, when the fade-in of the second audio data is performed in step S714, theradio communication device 21A may determine that the estimated distance becomes out of the predetermined condition before the third time period t2 ends. - In this case, in the
radio communication device 21 A, by the above-described first reproducing method and second reproducing method, the second audio data, which is being fade in, may be fade out during the fade-in. When the second audio data is reproduced as described above, similarly to the case of the first audio data, it is difficult to deny the possibility that the user A of theradio communication device 21 A feel uncomfortable. - Thus, in the third reproducing method, by using the first time period and third time period t2 which are started to be counted in step S708, the "first time period > third time period t2" is set as another condition of the condition C, for example. Since the another condition of the condition C is set as "first time period > third time period t2," the
radio communication device 21A determines a completion of the fade-in of the second audio data in step S714 and can prevent flutter in changes of the reproducing volume of the second audio data. - As described above, in the third reproducing method, the reason why the
radio communication device 21 A makes a determination regarding the condition C and the reason of counting the first time period are to prevent flutter in changes of the reproducing volume of the first audio data and second audio data. Hereinafter, an example in which theradio communication device 21A uses the condition C as "first time period > second time period t1" and "first time period > third time period t2", for example, will be described. Note that the condition C according to the third reproducing method is not limited to the above. - Referring back to
Fig. 20 , the third reproducing method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. When it is not determined that the condition C is satisfied in step S720, theradio communication device 21A proceeds the fade-in of the second audio data in step S714 and the fade-out of the first audio data in step S716 (S722). - Then, the
radio communication device 21 A determines whether the fade-in of the second audio data in step S714 and the fade-out of the first audio data in step S716 are completed (S724). - When it is not determined that the fade-in of the first audio data and the fade-out of the second audio data are completed in step S724, the
radio communication device 21 A does not proceed the process until the fade-in of the first audio data and the fade-out are completed. Here, theradio communication device 21A can perform the process in step S724 based on the operation condition of an application for reproducing the audio data for example; however, it is not limited to the above. - Further, when it is determined that the fade-in of the first audio data or the fade-out of the second audio data is completed in step S724, the
radio communication device 21A fades out the second audio data (S726). Then, similarly to step S518 inFig. 18 , theradio communication device 21A fades in the first audio data (S728) in synchronization with the fade-out of the second audio data in step S726. - By the processes in steps S726 and S728, in the
radio communication device 21 A, a reproduction shown in zone c ofFig. 17 is realized. - Then, the
radio communication device 21 A initializes the count value of the first time period that is counted in step S708 (S730) and repeats the processes from step S700. - Further, when it is determined that the condition C is satisfied in step S720, the
radio communication device 21A fades out the second audio data (S726) and fades in the first audio data in synchronization (S728). Then, theradio communication device 21A initializes the count value of the first time period that is counted in step S708 (S730) and repeats the processes from step S700. - With the third reproducing method shown in
Fig. 20 , theradio communication device 21A can realize an audio data reproduction as shown inFig. 17 . - With the first to third reproducing methods shown in
Figs. 18 to 20 , for example, theradio communication device 21A can obtain audio data from other radio communication device according to the distance between the radio communication devices and reproduce the obtained audio data by the reproducing method based on the distance between the radio communication devices. - Next, functions of the
radio communication device 21A according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.Fig. 23 is a functional block diagram of theradio communication device 21A according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here,Fig. 23 also shows theradio communication device 21B. Note that theradio communication device 21B can have a configuration same as that of theradio communication device 21A, so its description will be omitted. - Further, with a hardware configuration which is shown in
Fig. 2 , theradio communication device 21A can realize following functions, for example. Here, the hardware configuration shown inFig. 2 have been described in the above [I-B-1], so its description will be omitted. - Referring to
Fig. 23 , theradio communication device 21A includes acommunication unit 216, amemory unit 228, adisplay unit 240, adistance estimation unit 250, acommunication control unit 252, areproduction control unit 254, anaudio output unit 256 and anoperation unit 258. Further, theradio communication device 21A may include a control unit (not shown) that performs various arithmetic processes using a program for controlling and controls the entireradio communication device 21 A. - The
communication unit 216 is an interface for transmitting/receiving a radio signal such as a distance measurement packet or audio data to/from the otherradio communication device 21 B and functions as a transmission unit and a reception unit, similarly to thecommunication unit 216 shown inFig. 3 . - Similarly to the
memory unit 228 shown inFig. 3 , thememory unit 228 stores various information related to a distance estimation such as a field intensity of a distance measurement packet, a noise floor value of the distance measurement packet and device information that is received from thecommunication unit 216 in advance. Further, thememory unit 228 can store first audio data. Here,Fig. 23 shows an example in which thememory unit 228 stores audio data A260, audio data B262, ... as the first audio data. - The
display unit 240 displays, for example, information of estimated distance from theradio communication device 21B on a display screen. Here, thedisplay unit 240 can be, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display), an OLED display (or referred to as an organic ElectroLuminescence display); however, it is not limited to the above. - The
distance estimation unit 250 functions as the fieldintensity measurement unit 220, noisefloor measurement unit 224,estimation unit 232 anddetermination unit 236, which are shown inFig. 3 . In other words, thedistance estimation unit 250 functions to estimate a distance from otherradio communication device 21B. - Similarly to the
communication control unit 244 shown inFig. 3 , thecommunication control unit 252 has a function as a control unit for controlling a transmission of a distance measurement packet by thecommunication unit 216. - Further, the
communication control unit 252 selectively generates an "audio data transmission request" or a "determination condition information request" to the radio communication device (external device) serving as a transmission source of the distance measurement packet based on a presence or an absence of the first audio data in a later describedreproduction control unit 254 and the estimated distance estimated by thedistance estimation unit 250, for example. Then, using thecommunication unit 216, thecommunication control unit 252 transmits the generated "audio data transmission request," "determination condition information request" and the like to the radio communication device serving as a transmission source of the distance measurement packet. - Further, the
communication control unit 252 can transmit the first audio data stored in thememory unit 228 to the otherradio communication device 21B in response to an audio data transmission request transmitted from the otherradio communication device 21 B. - The
reproduction control unit 254 reads the first audio data from thememory unit 228, and decodes and reproduces the first audio data. Further, when thecommunication unit 216 receives the second audio data transmitted from the otherradio communication device 21B in response to the "audio data transmission request," thereproduction control unit 254 decodes and reproduces the first audio data. In this case, thereproduction control unit 254 adjusts the reproducing volume of the first audio data and the reproducing volume of the second audio data in synchronization, for example. More specifically, thereproduction control unit 254 fades out the first audio data and fades in the second audio data. Thus, in theradio communication device 21 A, a reproduction as shown in zone b ofFig. 17 is realized. - Further, when a signal which indicates that the estimated distance does not satisfy the predetermined condition any more ("estimated distance < predetermined distance M," for example) is received from the
distance estimation unit 250 while the second audio data is being reproduced, thereproduction control unit 254 adjusts the reproducing volume of the first audio data and the reproducing volume of the second audio data again in synchronization, for example. More specifically, thereproduction control unit 254 fades out the second audio data and fades in the first audio data. Thus, in theradio communication device 21 A, a reproduction as shown in zone c ofFig. 17 is realized. - The
audio output unit 256 functions to externally transfer, as a sound, the audio data (first audio data and/or second audio data) that is decoded and reproduced by the reproduction control unit out of theradio communication device 21A. Here, as theaudio output unit 256, there is an audio output circuit for transmitting audio signals to an external device such as a speaker, an earphone or a headphone, for example; however, it is not limited to the above. - The
operation unit 258 is an operation means of theradio communication device 21 A to accept user's predetermined operation. Since theradio communication device 21A has theoperation unit 258, for example, various settings such as setting a value of the predetermined distance M and setting a selection condition of the second audio data can be performed and an operation desired by the user can be performed by theradio communication device 21A. Here, as theoperation unit 258, there is an operation input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, a button, a direction key, a rotary selector such as a jog dial, or a combination thereof, for example; however, it is not limited to the above. - The
radio communication device 21A can perform the above first to third reproducing methods with the configuration as shown inFig. 23 . Thus, theradio communication device 21A can obtain the audio data from other radio communication device according to the distance between the radio communication devices and reproduce the obtained audio data by the reproducing manner based on the distance between the radio communication devices. - As described above, the
radio communication device 21 A according to the embodiment of the present invention estimates a distance from other radio communication device (external device) based on a predetermined condition related to a field intensity and a noise component of a received radio signal. Then, when the estimated distance satisfies the predetermined condition ("estimated distance < predetermined distance M," for example) while the first audio data stored in thememory unit 228 is being reproduced, theradio communication device 21 A obtains second audio data from the other radio communication device according to the estimated distance. Then, theradio communication device 21A adjusts the reproducing volume of the first audio data and the reproducing volume of the obtained second audio data. Further, theradio communication device 21A can adjust the reproducing volume of the first audio data and the reproducing volume of the obtained second audio data in synchronization. - Here, since the
radio communication device 21A estimates the distance based on the predetermined condition related to the field intensity, and noise component of the received radio signal, theradio communication device 21A can estimate the distance between the radio communication devices in real time with higher accuracy. Thus, theradio communication device 21 A can prevent "a case where audio data cannot be directly transmitted/received to/from other radio communication device to obtain or exchange audio data," which may occur in a conventional radio communication device. Further, since theradio communication device 21A can estimate the distance between the radio communication devices in real time with higher accuracy, the audio data can be reproduced by the reproducing manner appropriate to the actual distance between the radio communication devices. - Further, as an embodiment of the present invention of the present invention, the
radio communication device 21A has been described; however the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a device having an audio data reproduction function and a radio communication function, including a music player such as WALK MAN (registered trademark), a portable video processor, a computer such as a UMPC (Ultra Mobile Personal Computer), a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone, a portable game machine such as PlayStation Portable (registered trademark) and the like. - With a program controlling a computer to function as a radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention, audio data can be obtained from other radio communication device according to a distance between the radio communication devices and reproduce the obtained audio data by a reproducing manner based on the distance between the radio communication devices.
- The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, whilst the present invention is not limited to the above examples, of course. A person skilled in the art may find various alternations and modifications within the scope of the appended claims, and it should be understood that they will naturally come under the technical scope of the present invention.
- For example, according to the above [1], an example in which the
estimation unit 232 estimates the distance from the radio communication device 20' as a long distance, a medium distance or a short distance has been described; however, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. For example, theestimation unit 232 may estimate the distance from the radio communication device 20' by the meter (m). - Further, in the above [1], an example in which the
determination unit 236 performs filtering based on noise floors has been described; however, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. For example, thedetermination unit 236 may perform filtering based on the size of noise component such as an S/N ratio of a distance measurement packet. - Further, the respective steps of the processes of the radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in
Figs. 13 to 15 and18 to 20 are not needed to be processed on the time series as following the order shown in the flowcharts. For example, the respective steps of the processes of the radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention may include processes performed in parallel or individually (a parallel processing or a process by an object, for example). - Further, a computer program which controls the hardware included in the radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention such as the
CPU 201,ROM 202 andRAM 203 to function relevant to the respective configurations of the radio communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention may be provided. Further, a memory for storing the computer program is provided. Further, when the respective function blocks shown in the functional block diagrams ofFigs. 3 and23 are composed of hardware, the series of processes can be performed by the hardware.
Claims (15)
- A radio communication device (20) comprising:a communication unit (216) that is configured to perform radio communication with an external device (20');a memory unit (228) capable of storing first audio data;a distance estimation unit (250) that is configured to estimate a distance from the external device (20') based on a predetermined condition related to a field intensity and a noise component of a radio signal transmitted by the external device (20') and received by the communication unit (216);a communication control unit (244, 252) that is configured to control the communication unit (216) to transmit an audio data transmission request to the external device (20') when the estimated distance estimated by the distance estimation unit (250) is shorter than a predetermined distance (M), when the first audio data stored in the memory unit (228) is being reproduced; anda reproduction control unit (254) that is configured to adjust a reproducing volume of the first audio data and a reproducing volume of second audio data that is decoded from a radio signal, when the first audio data stored in the memory unit (228) is being reproduced and the communication unit (216) receives the radio signal corresponding to the second audio data transmitted from the external device (20') in response to the audio data transmission request.
- The radio communication device according to claim 1,
wherein the distance estimation unit (250) includes
a measurement unit (220) that is configured to measure the field intensity of the radio signal,
a determination unit (236) that is configured to determine whether the radio signal satisfies the predetermined condition related to the noise component, and
an estimation unit (232) that is configured to estimate the distance from the external device (20') based on a determination result by the determination unit (236) and the field intensity measured by the measurement unit (220). - The radio communication device according to claim 2,
wherein the determination unit (236) is configured to determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied, when the noise component of the radio signal is greater than a lower limit set value and lower than an upper limit set value. - The radio communication device according to claim 3,
wherein, in response to a reception of a radio signal from the external device (20') in the communication unit (216), the communication control unit (244, 252) controls the communication unit (216) to transmit a radio signal addressed to the external device (20'). - The radio communication device according to claim 3,
wherein the communication unit (216) is configured to receive device information indicating a transmitting power of the radio signal, which is transmitted from the external device (20'), and
wherein the estimation unit (232) is configured to estimate the distance from the external device (20') using the device information. - The radio communication device according to claim 5,
wherein the estimation unit (232) is configured to:calculate an average value of field intensities of radio signals transmitted from the external device (20') which are determined to satisfy the predetermined condition by the determination unit,determine in which of defined average value ranges the average value is included, anddetermine the distance from the external device (20') to be a distance corresponding to the average value range which is determined to include the average value. - The radio communication device according to claim 6, wherein the defined average value ranges and the average value calculation vary by the device information.
- The radio communication device according to claim 5,
wherein the device information indicates a transmitting power of the radio signal of the external device (20') or a type of the external device (20'). - The radio communication device according to claim 1,
wherein the reproduction control unit (254) is configured to adjust the reproducing volume of the first audio data and the reproducing volume of the second audio data in synchronization with each other. - The radio communication device according to claim 1,
wherein the reproduction control unit (254) is configured to adjust the reproducing volume of the second audio data to gradually turn up in a predetermined period of time. - The radio communication device according to claim 1,
wherein the reproduction control unit (254) is configured to adjust the reproducing volume of the first audio data to gradually turn down in a predetermined period of time, when the communication unit receives the radio signal corresponding to the second audio data in response to the transmission request. - The radio communication device according to claims 9, 10 and 11,
wherein, when the communication unit receives the radio signal corresponding to the second audio data in response to the transmission request, the reproduction control unit adjusts the reproducing volume of the first audio data to gradually turn down in a predetermined period of time and adjusts the reproducing volume of the second audio data to gradually turn up in a predetermined period of time in synchronization with the adjustment of the reproducing volume of the first audio data, and
when the estimated distance from the external device (20') which transmits the second audio data becomes greater than the predetermined distance (M), the reproduction control unit (254) adjusts the reproducing volume of the first audio data to gradually turn up in a predetermined period of time and adjusts the reproducing volume of the second audio data to gradually turn down in a predetermined period of time in synchronization with the adjustment of the reproducing volume of the first audio data. - The radio communication device according to claim 1, configured for performing radio communication with a plurality of said external devices (20'),
wherein, when the distance estimation unit (250) estimates respective distances from the plurality of said external devices (20'), the communication control unit (244, 252) controls the communication unit (216) to selectively transmit the transmission request to one of the plurality of said external devices (20') based on the respective estimated distance estimated by the distance estimation unit (250). - An audio data reproducing method applicable to a radio communication device including a communication unit (216) for performing radio communication with one or more external devices (20') and a memory unit (228) for storing first audio data, comprising the steps of:receiving a radio signal transmitted from an external device (20');estimating a distance from said external device (20') based on a predetermined condition related to a field intensity and a noise component of the radio signal received in the step of receiving;transmitting an audio data transmission request addressed to said external device (20') when the estimated distance estimated in the step of estimating is shorter than a predetermined distance, when the first audio data stored in the memory unit is being reproduced, andadjusting a reproducing volume of the first audio data and a reproducing volume of second audio data decoded from the radio signal, when the communication unit receives the radio signal corresponding to the second audio data transmitted from said external device (20') in response to the audio data transmission request transmitted in the step of transmitting.
- A program applicable to a radio communication device including a communication unit (216) for performing radio communication with one or more external devices (20') and a memory unit (228) for storing first audio data, the program causing a computer to perform the steps of:receiving a radio signal transmitted from an external device (20');estimating a distance from said external device (20') based on a predetermined condition related to a field intensity and a noise component of the radio signal received in the step of receiving;transmitting an audio data transmission request addressed to said external device (20') when the estimated distance estimated in the step of estimating is shorter than a predetermined distance, when the first audio data stored in the memory unit is being reproduced, andadjusting a reproducing volume of the first audio data and a reproducing volume of second audio data decoded from the radio signal, when the communication unit receives the radio signal corresponding to the second audio data transmitted from said external device (20') in response to the audio data transmission request transmitted in the step of transmitting.
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PCT/JP2008/065167 WO2009063669A1 (en) | 2007-11-15 | 2008-08-26 | Radio communication device, voice data reproducing method, and program |
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JP4586690B2 (en) * | 2005-09-09 | 2010-11-24 | 沖電気工業株式会社 | Position estimation system |
JP2007193507A (en) | 2006-01-18 | 2007-08-02 | Hitachi Ltd | Information providing system and information providing method |
JP2007329877A (en) * | 2006-06-09 | 2007-12-20 | Canon Inc | Transmission system of sound information |
KR101316750B1 (en) * | 2007-01-23 | 2013-10-08 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Apparatus and method for playing audio file according to received location information |
JP4808647B2 (en) | 2007-02-23 | 2011-11-02 | 株式会社ウィルコム | Wireless communication module for mobile communication |
-
2008
- 2008-04-08 JP JP2008100619A patent/JP5095473B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2008-08-26 KR KR20107009799A patent/KR20100091957A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2008-08-26 CN CN2008801152682A patent/CN101855569B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2008-08-26 EP EP08849521.3A patent/EP2209020B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2008-08-26 ES ES08849521.3T patent/ES2456340T3/en active Active
- 2008-08-26 WO PCT/JP2008/065167 patent/WO2009063669A1/en active Application Filing
- 2008-08-26 US US12/741,541 patent/US8320837B2/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP5095473B2 (en) | 2012-12-12 |
EP2209020A4 (en) | 2012-10-10 |
KR20100091957A (en) | 2010-08-19 |
US20100261432A1 (en) | 2010-10-14 |
CN101855569A (en) | 2010-10-06 |
ES2456340T3 (en) | 2014-04-22 |
WO2009063669A1 (en) | 2009-05-22 |
EP2209020A1 (en) | 2010-07-21 |
US8320837B2 (en) | 2012-11-27 |
CN101855569B (en) | 2013-05-08 |
JP2009141936A (en) | 2009-06-25 |
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